Minnesota’s foray into autonomous public transportation, the goMARTI pilot program, is wrapping up an 18-month trial of self-driving shuttle vans meant to ferry locals and tourists around a 17-square-mile area in Itasca County and Grand Rapids—free of charge. Originating in the fall of 2022, goMARTI, short for Minnesota’s Autonomous Rural Transit Initiative, leveraged a fleet consisting of five autonomous shuttles including three that are wheelchair-accessible, covering 70 stops. The Center for Transportation Studies is set to discuss the program’s takeaways in an upcoming webinar on December 6, 2024, where participants can learn key insights and experiences garnered from the project.
On the roadways, MnDOT’s latest research has been focusing on tweaking pavement markings to better cater to automated vehicles (AVs)—with potential safety perks such as blind spot monitoring and lane departure warnings; however, the technology relies heavily on well-defined lane markings to function optimally, prompting MnDOT to consider adjustments like modifying mark-to-gap ratios and widening stripes to 6 inches when possible and also adding dotted lines to better delineate turn lanes and exit ramps which could benefit human drivers in addition to AVs.
There’s also a newly improved smartphone app in the works, targeting the widespread issue of unintentional lane departure, a primary culprit behind traffic incidents that graveyards of weathered crosses and wilted bouquets can attest to. The upgraded app uses GPS to sharpen its accuracy and deliver audible warnings, marking a leap towards an accessible safety option, especially since built-in lane departure warning systems are typically reserved for luxury vehicles. Those interested in the tech can dive deeper during a free webinar on November 14.
Concerning environmental advances, stormwater management is scaling up in sophistication with the Local Road Research Board (LRRB) unveiling a revised Stormwater BMP Inspection and Maintenance Resource Guide—an effort pooling over a decade of research to fine-tune recommendations for managing stormwater runoff, critical to mitigating flood risks and preserving water quality consistent with federal regulations. On another front, research into structural synthetic fibers aims at reinforcing thin-layer concrete pavements to better withstand vehicular stress and improve longevity without necessitating dowel bars.
Lastly, MnDOT bade farewell to Sheila Hatchell this past September after 17 years of helming the MnDOT Library, during which she steered significant digitization initiatives, which turned out to be particularly instrumental amid pandemic conditions. After an illustrious career and earning the 2024 Professional Achievement Award from the Special Libraries Association, Sheila’s retirement was notable for Minnesota’s transportation ecosystem. With transportation advances still charging ahead, MnDOT also spotlights the Clear Roads initiative, winner of the Transportation Pooled Fund Excellence Award, set for demonstration on November 6th via Microsoft Teams, showcasing advancements in winter maintenance and road treatment research led by Thomas Peters, PE.
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